SAG-AFTRA Unionizes San Diego’s KPBS

Bargaining covers 55 employees

SAG-AFTRA has unionized KPBS public radio and television in San Diego after the staff voted in favor of the performers union becoming their bargaining agent.

The new bargaining unit will cover 55 employees who produce, report, host, and present content for television, radio and the internet. The next step will be to start negotiations for a first contract.

The election was conducted Monday by the National Labor Relations Board.

“We will be standing with you to ensure that your quest for a real voice at work, guaranteed by a binding union contract, is heard and respected,” said SAG-AFTRA president Ken Howard, exec VP Gabrielle Carteris, Secretary-Treasurer Amy Aquino and National VP Catherine Brown said in a statement.

KPBS is the second public media station in Southern California to organize with SAG-AFTRA this year following January’s vote by the staff of KPCC in Pasadena. SAG-AFTRA also reps employees at National Public Radio (NPR), KQED in San Francisco and WNYC in New York.